Clasp



Sept. 3, 1935. H. c. JOHNSON CLASP Filed May 31, 1933 INVENTOR: HUGO c. JOHNSON.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 3, 1935 3 Slairns.

This invention relates to improvements in clasps and more particularly to clasps for the shirt cuffs of wearing apparel.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a simple and secure means for joining the opposed edges of the cuffs of garments.

Another object is to so construct and arrange the clasp that it is secure but may be easily placed and removed from the cuffs.

Another object is to provide for retaining the clasp in position in the cuff in both the clasped and unclasped positions.

Another object is to provide a clasp that will be safely retained and function in soft unstarched cuffs.

A further object is to enable the use of a decorative button larger than the button hole in the cuff when desirable.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description progresses.

In this specification and the accompanying drawing, the invention is disclosed in its preferred form. It is to be understood, however, that it is not limited to this form because it may be embodied in other forms within the spirit of the invention as defined in the claims following the description.

In the one sheet of drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a shirt cuff having a clasp therein constructed in accordance with this invention. The cuff is broken away adjacent the button hole better to disclose the relative position of the parts in the operative position.

Fig. 2 is a greatly enlarged detail in side elevation of the clasp.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same.

In detail, the construction illustrated in the drawing referring to Fig. 1, comprises the conventional shirt stiif cuff I, having the opposed edges 2 and 3. These edges have aligned button holes such as l set in from their margins.

The clasp comprises the base strap 5 with the bent up portion 6 and the pivotal strap I forming together a U shaped member. These straps are interlocked and curled around the pin 8 to form a strap hinge at this point.

The base has a flat prismatic or tubular stud forming the socket 9 fixed thereto and adapted to be inserted through the slot 6 in the cuff. This socket has the longitudinal slot ID in the edge thereof. The sides of the socket are split and bent outwardly to form the retainers I I and I2 on opposite sides thereof adapted to hold the socket within the button hole 4 when the clasp is open, see Fig. 3.

The lock preferably comprises a single piece of flat wire bent centrally to form the bridge portion I I which lies Within the bottom of the sock- 5 et against the strap 5. The rear extension I2 follows up the edge of the socket and is bent at It to engage under the hook It on the socket. The angular end I5 overhangs the top opening of the socket. The opposite extension is bowed 10 outwardly through the slot IE to form the pressure member It, then continues back into the slot to the central portion of the socket and upward to position the bent end I'I beneath the angular end I5, see Fig, 2. The engagement of the end I? beneath the anchored end I5 holds the lock member down in position in the socket 9 against the tension of the bow I6. The end I5 also limits the movement of the end I! outward from the extension I2.

The latch I8, has the angular head I9 and is fixed to the inner plane of the pivotal strap I. The pointed end of the head I9 engages the inclined end I! which it displaces rearwardly until the head passes into the socket and is locked by the end I? of the spring lock.

The ornamental buttons I9 and 20 are fixed to the straps 5 and I respectively and are adapted to cover the button holes in the cuff.

This invention operates substantially as follows: The strap 5 is positioned beneath the cuff margin 3 and the socket 9 forced upward through the button hole 4. The inclined upper portions of the retainers II and I2 wedge the button hole open until it snaps back between the detents and the strap 5. This secures the whole clasp assembly to the portion 3 of the cuff.

The upper portion 2 of the cuff is then folded downward Within the riser 6 and the pivotal strap 1 swung inward on the hinge 8 and the latch head I9 forced through the upper button hole. The two buttons I9 and 2B are then pinched between the thumb and finger until the tension of the spring lock is overcome and the latch engaged behind the end H.

To unlock the clasp the thumb is inserted within the cuff and pressure applied to the bow IS on the inside by the thumb and to the riser 6 by the finger of the wearer. This overcomes the spring lock and the tension of the cuff or the wedging action of the thumb lifts the latch head I9 out of the socket 9. The hinge 8 can be dispensed with and the U shape member made of spring material so that the flexibility of the riser will perform the same function as the hinge 8 in providing for the separation of the ends of the strap 5'l.

Y The clasp is removed. from the cuff portion 3 by outward pressure on the top of the socket at I4, which forces the retainers II and I2 backward out of the button hole 4.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A clasp including a U shape strap adapted to straddle the opposed edges of a cuff; a tubular socket rectangular in cross section on one end of said strap adapted to pass through a hole in the cuff; lateral retainers bent outward from the sides of said socket; a lock in said socket; and a latch on the opposite end of said strap adapted to pass through a hole in said cufi and enter said socket and engage said lock.

2. A clasp including a U shape member whose opposed ends are movable with respect to each other; a socket on one of said ends and having an opening therein; a lock member of spring material in said socket having a movable end and an integral releasing part bowed through the opening in said socket; the opposite end of said lock member being anchored within said socket and arranged to engage and limit the movement of said movable end; and a latch on said opposite end of the U shape member engageable with the movable end of said lock member.

3. A clasp including a U shape member whose opposed ends are movable with respect to each other; a socket on one of said ends and having an opening therein; a lock member of spring material in said socket having a movable end and an integral releasing part bowed through the opening in said socket; the opposite end of said lock being bent to engage and limit the movement of said movable end; a hooked portion extending from said socket and engaging over said bent end; and a latch on the opposite end of the U shape member engageable with the movable 20 

